Motorists report decline in condition of UK roads over last decade

Nine out of 10 (88%) drivers say the condition of UK roads has declined over the last decade, a new survey suggests.

The AA poll of 17,500 motorists also found that two-thirds (67%) say roads have "considerably deteriorated" in the past 10 years.

Some 42% of drivers rated residential streets as "poor" last month, compared with 34% in March 2017.

A recent survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance found that local authorities in England and Wales needed £9.3 billion to bring their roads up to scratch.

The harsh winter led to a spike in pothole-related breakdowns, such as damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.

AA president Edmund King said: "It is clear that despite all the talk from central and local government, not enough is being done to fix our increasingly dangerous streets.

"Our potholed roads are in a perilous state. AA breakdown operations are rescuing record numbers of drivers whose tyres or wheels are damaged by potholes.

"The current lack of proper investment on local roads means highway authorities are doing little more than papering over the cracks."

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced in March that councils would be given a further £100 million to tackle potholes and repair storm damage in England.

Martin Tett, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: "It is wrong that funding for local roads is miles behind that of the strategic road network.

"Very few journeys begin and end on a motorway or trunk road yet government funding on the strategic road network is 52 times higher than for local roads."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the Government is investing £23 billion on roads.

She added: "We have listened to the concerns of road users and are already providing councils in England with over £6 billion to help improve the condition of our local highways. This funding includes a record £296 million through the Pothole Action Fund - enough to fix around six million potholes.